Nice enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The city is famous for its abundant sunshine, moderate rainfall, and gentle sea breezes. Seasonal changes are pronounced, with long, sun-filled days in summer and cooler, cloudier weather in winter, making Nice an inviting destination year-round.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Nice’s climate is shaped by its coastal location on the French Riviera and protection from surrounding hills. Summers (June–September) are hot, dry, and sunny, with average highs of 27–28°C in July and August, and nights remaining comfortably warm around 21°C. Rainfall is scarce in summer – July is the driest month with just 10 mm of rain – and humidity is moderate. Sea breezes and occasional mistral winds keep the heat from becoming oppressive, while the Mediterranean Sea warms to 24–25°C, perfect for swimming. Sunshine is abundant, with up to 11 hours per day in midsummer, and the city enjoys over 2,700 hours of sunshine annually.
Winters (December–February) are mild, with average highs of 13–15°C and lows around 6–8°C. Frost is rare, and snow is exceptional, occurring only a few times each decade. Rainfall increases in autumn and winter, peaking in October (up to 135 mm), but winter also brings many dry, sunny days. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, featuring mild to warm temperatures (17–24°C), moderate rainfall, and blooming gardens or colourful foliage. Winds are generally light to moderate, averaging 13–17 km/h, but can be brisk during storms or mistral events. Daylight varies from about 9 hours in winter to over 15 hours in midsummer. The climate supports a long outdoor season, with pleasant conditions for beach visits, café culture, and festivals nearly all year.
| Average climate data for Nice, France | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 9 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 25 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 33 | 46 | 49 | 54 | 49 | 52 | 39 | 30 | 36 | 69 | 124 | 59 | 640 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 11 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 149 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 3 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 69 | 69 | 69 | 71 | 73 | 73 | 71 | 71 | 69 | 71 | 69 | 68 | 70 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 18 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 28 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 24 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 22 | 29 | 25 | 22 |
| Average UV index | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
The best time to visit Nice is from May to June and September to early October, when temperatures are warm (20–26°C), rainfall is low, and the city is lively but less crowded than peak summer. These months offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, beach days, and enjoying Nice’s outdoor lifestyle and festivals.
The least favourable time to visit is in late autumn (October–November), when rainfall is highest and storms are more frequent. While winters are mild and sunny days are common, some outdoor activities may be limited by rain or cooler weather, though the city remains pleasant for cultural visits and coastal walks.
Nice has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Rain is rare in summer, while autumn and winter bring more precipitation. Sunshine is abundant, especially from May to September.
Summer temperatures in Nice typically reach 27–28°C, with peaks above 30°C during heatwaves. Nights remain warm, and sea breezes help keep the heat comfortable. Rain is very rare in July and August.
Snow is extremely rare in Nice due to its mild coastal climate. When it does occur, it is usually light and melts quickly. Frost is also uncommon, and winter days are often sunny.
Rainfall is highest in autumn, especially in October, which can see up to 135 mm of rain. Winter also brings occasional rain, while summer is very dry with only a few wet days each month.
Nice enjoys over 2,700 hours of sunshine annually. Summer months have up to 11 hours of sunshine per day, while winter averages 5 hours daily, making it one of France’s sunniest cities.
Pack light, breathable clothing and sun protection for summer. In spring and autumn, bring layers and a light rain jacket. For winter, a jumper and waterproof jacket are useful for cooler nights and occasional rain.
The Mediterranean Sea is warmest from June to September, reaching 24–25°C. Swimming is comfortable from late May to early October, though the water is cooler in spring and autumn.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (24.9 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is February (9.4 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 16.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (19.9 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (5.6 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 12.3 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (23.8 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (13.1 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 18 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (124 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is August (29.8 mm). Over the whole year there are 640.3 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is May (16.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is December (9.5 days). Over the whole year there are 148.8 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (9 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 13 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (1 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are April, May, June, August and November (0 days). Over the whole year there are 1.7 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is June (73.1 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is December (68.2 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 70.2 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is March (13.4 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (8.4 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 11.3 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (29.1 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (10.8 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 22.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 12 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 6 h). Over the whole year there are 8.8 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July and August (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 3). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.3.
